The announcement came as the Queen issued her annual Commonwealth Day message, speaking of the need for continued dialogue between nations in an “uncertain world”.

She urged citizens of the 53-nation club never to lose “trust” in one another and always to “keep talking” adding that what they share is more important now than ever before.

It will be the first visit to the island for the couple since November 2007 when they travelled here to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

The Queen has spoken publicly in the past of her “deep affection” for Malta, where she lived for several extended periods between 1949 and 1951 as a naval officer’s wife, while the Duke was posted there with the Mediterranean Fleet.

During a visit 10 years ago, she praised the “outgoing, generous Maltese people who have always offered us the hand of friendship.”

Malta retained the Queen as head of state after its independence in 1964 but became a republic within the Commonwealth 10 years later.

Yet the ties between the country and the British monarchy remain strong, a link underlined during a visit by the Duke of Cambridge last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence.

In her Commonwealth day message, the Queen underlines the importance of dialogue even amid differing views.

“One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen,” she said.

“So many of the world's greatest technological and industrial achievements have begun as partnerships between families, countries, and even continents.

“But, as we are often reminded, the opposite can also be true. When common goals fall apart, so does the exchange of ideas.

“And if people no longer trust or understand each other, the talking will soon stop too.”

Those nations and their 2.2 billion inhabitants had seen “huge advantages” from mutual cooperation over the years.

“Not only are there tremendous rewards for this cooperation, but through dialogue we protect ourselves against the dangers that can so easily arise from a failure to talk or to see the other person's point of view,” she said.

“Indeed, it seems to me that now, in the second decade of the twenty first century, what we share through being members of the Commonwealth is more important and worthy of protection than perhaps at any other time in the Commonwealth's existence.

“We are guardians of a precious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead.”

Hailing the organisation as a “globally diverse and inclusive community” and a “worldwide family”, she said it was a time to “recommit ourselves to upholding the values of the Commonwealth Charter”.

“It has the power to enrich us all, but, just as importantly in an uncertain world, it gives us a good reason to keep talking,” she said.